Mobile phone consumers' association calls for dismantling NTMC

Claiming that the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC) has been involved in violating citizens' privacy by eavesdropping on phone calls, monitoring devices, and intercepting communications on social media platforms, the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers' Association (BMPCA) called for the abolition of this agency on Saturday. 

In a media statement, the association's President Mohiuddin Ahmed said the activities of the NTMC are unconstitutional.

"Article 43(b) of the Constitution guarantees the right to privacy in all forms of correspondence and communication. However, this organisation was established in 2013 based on the advice of the controversial and dismissed Major General Ziaul Ahsan," the statement adds. 

The association alleged that operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, NTMC has embezzled billions of taka in the name of purchasing illegal equipment by this organisation. It urged the interim government to dismantle the NTMC to protect the citizens' personal data and uphold constitutional rights. 

In the statement, the association also announced plans to submit a memorandum to the Chief Adviser in this connection.

In 2013, the NTMC was established based on the advice of the controversial and dismissed army man Major Ziaul Ahsan. Its primary purpose was to monitor and eavesdrop on citizens' communications. NTMC's actions included recording phone and video calls, intercepting internet usage, and monitoring various apps.

NTMC additionally forced mobile network operators to send specific messages to their customers. Their activities led to the harassment of many prominent citizens. 

There were allegations that the NTMC purchased the Pegasus spyware from the controversial Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, despite there being no diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Israel.